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Chapter 12b: A Meeting of the Royal Council

Setsuna had been in the Med Ward with Makoto, when she was suddenly hit with a vision that sent shivers up and down her spine. She quickly left Makoto, trusting her to stay put and ran to the Council Chamber, taking note of Minako's quick exit. She decided the girl would have to be able to handle herself, and she quickly burst in, shouting, "They're coming!"

Usagi turned around in her seat and said, "Who? The missing Senshi?"

Setsuna shook her head and said, "No. Someone else. I feel a presence... but it is cold, dark. The thing is though, I've felt it before... from Void."

After that, all the other senshi leap to their feet, offering to go. In a span of five minutes, Saporia, Kayla, Ichi, Hito, and even Diana had offered their services in going down to Alcatraz. Angela however, declined, saying that she had too many bad memories of that island from when she had betrayed the senshi, and did not wish to accompany them at this time. Before anyone else can offer to go, Neptune arrives, much to the surprise of everyone... It turns out that she had not gone with the other three senshi, but had seen them just before they left.

During all of this, Chenoa had been considering going, but with Michiru's arrival, Chenoa wondered about what might happen to Heion if she left. She quickly excused herself and ran back to her chambers, to be with her daughter.

Setsuna sighed as she watched Chenoa go and then she too offered her services to go down and aid the others who had offered to go. She once again asks if anyone would like to help, and that is when Angela stands again, saying that she has changed her mind and would like to go with them.

Luna then speaks up, trying to dissuade Diana from going. But Diana will not budge, and finally Artemis agrees to accompany their daughter on the trip. Luna is still not happy with his development, but eventually Kodia and Artemis calm her down... Kodia informs the royal couple and everyone else that he would like to go, but his place is with his family. With that he bids them good bye and heads back to find his future wife and daughter.

Pluto was happy that Artemis had agreed to go, but she still needed one other older senshi to accompany her. The only feasible ones at the moment were Neptune and Saturn. She asked them if they would like to go, and both agreed. However, Neo Queen Serenity thought it would be better if at least Saturn stayed behind to help guard the palace against an attack with Jupiter and Venus being the only other senshi left, and they weren't in very good shape as it was. Saturn realized she was right and agreed to stick around.

That was when Setsuna voiced that they should really get going now. She didn't want to arrive at Alcatraz too late in case something had happened. the queen agreed and bid the warriors farewell as those who were going on the mission filed out... But curiously, Artemis stayed behind. The queen tried to cheer him up, thinking he was worried about Diana and said, "Oh Artemis, don't worry, I am sure Diana will be able to handle herself."

Artemis feined a smile and tried to sound cheerful, "I know she will be, she has my courageous blood in her veins." he knew he wasn't being very convincing, but he had to make an effort.

Naturally, Neo Queen Serenity saw right through his weak attempts and said, "Artemis, my old friend, tell me what's troubling you."

Artemis knew better than to lie to the queen when he had been caught and said, "It's Minako... Haven't you noticed how miserable she has been since Yahara left? I mean she is not her happy go lucky self. The way she is now reminds me of how you were the time we lost Mamoru to the Dark Kingdom all those years ago, remember?

The queen's eyes clouded over slightly as she remembered what the white feline spoke of... yes she remembered the pain and helpless feeling of not knowing what was happening to her love all too well... And Minako must feel even worse. Having not had Yahara for so long, and then having him taken from her just as soon as she found him. She looked back to Artemis, saying that she did remember that time, even if it was centuries ago... Then she said, "With all that has happened recently no one has noticed how this has affected her at all. Well with the exception of you of course. What do you think we should do Artemis?"

Artemis thinks about it for a moment, and by now it has become apparent that he will not be going with the others as he planned earlier, "Well the first thing she needs are friends that will tell her how important she really is, and that they are there for her," he sighs a little and continues, "Seeing that most of the senshi are absent right now, maybe a visit from you would be what the doctor ordered. Second, we have to keep her busy, I suggest you give her an important task to do. Of course I would insist on going with her,"

The queen agrees that that might at least do a little good, but she does have other things to attend to first. She asks if Artemis, can check up on Minako first, and he quickly runs off to do as he has been asked.

Soon after that, everyone else who is left in the room realizes there's nothing more to be done and they all depart to attend to other matters...

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Pages Updated On: 14-Aug-2008 - 10:29:32
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